Emma

United Kingdom
Login to see last activity

Badges (4)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
Hi, I'm Emma! I'm 22 years old and I've just finished my very interesting and rewarding degree in English Literature at Cambridge University, and my wanderlust is now uncontainable. Ever since my 2020 gap-year travel plans were prevented by the pandemic, I've been waiting and dreaming to get out and explore the world, all its different cultures and stances on life or livelihood. I did a few, shorter, solo travel trips whilst I was doing my degree, but I am now ready to embark on longer travel adventures.

I'm a very creative person and love reading, story writing and acting in/directing theatre. I also enjoy running/hiking, team sports (but I am awful at football) and rewatching every sitcom that has ever been made. I care deeply about my family, friends and the wider world around me. I've been vegetarian for 4 years and I've volunteered/worked for children's charities (particularly special needs children) for 6 years.

For my first big trip, I'm planning to go to Malaysia and Thailand from October-December 2023!!

Thanks for taking the time to read about me
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Writing
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Movies & TV
Mountain
LGBTQ
Farming
Fitness
Gardening
Hiking
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Camping
Books
Blogging

show more
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
More details about my language interests
I'm very happy to share my knowledge of English and have conversations with those who want to improve their English speaking. And I'd love to try to learn the basics of other languages in return.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Art Projects
Eco Projects
Gardening
Life at a Farmstay
Hospitality/Tourism
DIY and building projects
Some knowledge of:
Charity Work
Teaching
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
More details about your skills
I have a degree in English Literature, so a wide knowledge and interest in books, as well as the world culture and breadth of human experience that I believe literature reveals, and I would love to discuss and share my thoughts.

I've been a youth worker with children and young people with special needs for 6 years, as part of a charity that provides day care and fun activities on weekends and during school holidays. For this role I show great patience, empathy, responsiveness and a playful energy. Recently, I've been promoted to a senior youth worker and so I have been more responsible for the smooth running of sessions, delegating to other staff members and intervening in behavioural incidents. I'm incredibly proud of my work.

I've also worked as a waitress for weddings, in a coffee shop (which required 5am wakeups) and as an ents runner or steward for theatre/music events. I'm used to physically demanding jobs and excel in a team environment.

My other skills include blog/article writing (which I did in the culture section of my university paper) and cleaning/organising. I've also lived around many dogs, as my grandma runs a golden retriever rescue, and used to go to a stables near me to ride and help look after the horses.

I'm a very proactive and self-motivated worker, and I'm always excited to learn something new!
Age
23
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  vegetarian

Feedback

1 Jan 2024

Left by host (Help us at an Organic rice ...) for Workawayer (Emma)

Emma! She is such an open minded, hard working and flexible person! She brought a lot of laughter and joy to us.
She is flexible person so that she offered to change her plan and managed to come on the same day by the same bus with another new volunteer to make it easier for us to pick them up.(also the departure date as well..!)
After she got… read more

(Excellent )

18 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host (Help us at an Organic rice ...)

My 3-week stay on the farm was an incredibly welcoming, supportive and fun experience and it was perfect for a newbie workawayer and newbie traveller! Chikako's quick and thorough responses to messages before my arrival put me completely at ease and the accommodating and generous spirit of this family increased tenfold once I arrived.

The farm… read more itself is an idyllically simple alcove in nature, next to a beautiful river, where monkeys play in the treetops. But it's also got everything you need for a comfortable stay, with secure bungalows with mosquito nets, a private bathroom, fans in every communal space and an abundance of books. But it's the people that truly make the farm a beautiful home. Kakak and Chikako create delicious, home cooked meals, which more than accommodated my vegetarian diet. And once you've picked your many favourites, they're happy to cook to your request! We were also brought local food and I fell in love with roti canai for breakfast And some of my favourite memories are gathering together for laughter filled dinners.

The sweaty work in the paddy fields or building the new hen house was a time of much singing and laughter. And Jai, Captain and the other local workers were massively patient and kind in their guidance. They were always aware and checking in on how we were doing and, when I was injured, they altered my work, encouraged me to take rest and even travelled out late at night to check on me. Captain called us his daughters and I certainly felt looked after like one during my stay.

It was fascinating, humbling and insightful to hear about Captain's life and Kakak taught me a lot about her faith and how it is practiced, as well as being the best tour guide on our excursions to the nearby dams and to Alor Setar. I only wish I had had longer to learn more about and more from these beautiful people.

I could carry on gushing about how much I loved my stay on the farm but I'm aware that the paragraphs are accumulating so I'll leave it by saying how much I recommend this farm to anyone who is travelling through Malaysia (or anywhere nearby) and who wants to experience a different style and pace of life.

Thank you Captain, Kakak, Chikako, Jai and everyone else for a lovely stay : )

P.S. I wrote this review as soon as I left the farm but, unfortunately, my phone wouldn't allow me to post it while I was travelling. I'm now back home, a few months later, and I can confirm that my happy memories of the farm have only grown more affirmed and nostalgic and, having done another workaway since, I understand how truly special the family dynamic of this place was

(Excellent )

18 Dec 2023

Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host (Come and help with some ...)

It is a beautiful and wholesome place with a lovely mission of helping its local community and kids. Pantila and Mae Nai gave me a warm welcome and they were always around, or contactable via whatsapp, to help throughout my stay, from medical advice, to translating stuff into Thai for my class preparation, to organising our activities/daytrips.… read more

Our accommodation was really lovely, with mosquito nets over the beds, a fan in the room and an, admittedly cold but very clean, shower room. I stayed in the all-girls dorm with 3 other girls and, honestly, it was such a sweet, cosy environment. We also had a communal kitchen and dining space where we would all gather during the day. The surrounding area is beautiful local villages, with delicious and very cheap restaurants and cafes. I especially recommend an early morning (even sunrise) cycle, as you can see the gorgeous scenery awash with colour and all the locals will be peacefully cycling to get their groceries from the nearest set-up stall. I must warn you, however, that if you go for a run around the villages, you do it at the risk of being chased by a few overexcited dogs, protecting their homes.

Our tasks was very varied throughout the week, which definitely made time fly by super fast during my 2-week stay. My favourite day was Sunday, as a big group of children would come for English lessons and we taught them through conversation and games. It was lovely getting to know individual children and figuring out how to connect with them through their interests and talents. I have so many great memories, from playing snakes and ladders with 3 of the older boys, to a water fight with a little, 4 year old, to getting a quiet pair of girls to engage with writing their own princess stories. As my prior experience is focussed on working 1-1 with children, I felt well-prepared for these days, but if you haven't done this before then (if you're volunteering group is anything like mine) you will be able to seek support and guidance from the other volunteers around you, as we all work together or in close proximity to each other throughout the day. On other days we would go to the local school, go to the market to sell clothes and flyer or help out around cleaning and helping on projects (we helped on an art space and reorganising the thrift shop while I was there). The days helping were pretty relaxed and self-organised and we had plenty of free time each afternoon/evening to go out for dinner, go to the local gym or go for a cycle to a lake and, if you have a motorbike, you could even go into the city for the evening.

On our days off, we went to Chiang Mai and to Doi Inthanon on a hiking tour (which I would highly recommend, as this was one of the most beautiful national parks I saw on my travels). And, on other afternoons/evenings, Mae Nai organised for me to do a woodcarving with the talented and hilarious women next door and to do an overnight temple stay with a gorgeous, serene and inspiring local nun.

I'm so grateful for the kindness I received during my stay and I will carry my fond memories of the children and the peace of it for a long time. I think every volunteer's time here will vary greatly depending on the group of volunteers that are there at the same time as them, because you really do live, work and explore together, but I was incredibly lucky to meet a beautiful group of people and I will miss the girls I grew close to very much.

Thank you Pantila, Mae Nai and Buddy for a beautiful stay and for many happy memories. I hope to see you and to see you again : )

(Very good )

View all